Abstract: A coil assembly includes a spool (102) having an upper flange (104), a medial flange (106) and a lower flange (108). A terminal groove (118) is established between the upper flange (104) and the medial flange (106), and a winding bay (110) is established between the medial flange (106) and the lower flange (108). Ramps (130) are formed in the groove (118) and at least two terminal posts (126), each having a foot (128), are inserted through the upper flange such that each foot (128) is disposed within the groove (118). Each terminal post (126) is movable between a winding position, wherein the foot (128) protrudes outwardly to facilitate engaging a coil wire end (132), and a retracted position, wherein the foot (128) is retracted behind the respective ramp (130).

Abstract: A fuel pump for a vehicle includes a pump section having a flow channel and a rotatable impeller cooperating with said flow channel to pump fuel therethrough. The fuel pump also includes a motor section disposed adjacent the pump section and having a motor to rotate the impeller. The fuel pump further includes an outlet section disposed adjacent the motor section to allow pumped fuel to exit the fuel pump. The pump section includes a mechanism for minimizing leakage of fuel from the flow channel radially.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus includes a magnetic circuit comprising a central core and a side core or shield, and primary and secondary windings. The shield is allowed to electrically float, thereby reducing the capacitance of the secondary winding. A housing is external to and surrounds the shield to inhibit arcing. A silicone boot overlaps a housing/case interface to further suppress arcing.

Abstract: A master/slave control system and method of communicating messages between a master controller and slave devices, especially for use in a vehicle. The system includes a data communication bus, a plurality of slave devices coupled to the data communication bus which are addressable and capable of reading messages broadcast on the data communication bus and broadcasting reply messages to the data communication bus, and a master controller coupled to the data communication bus for broadcasting command messages. The command messages include an address for addressing at least one of the plurality of slave devices and a direction indicator parity bit for identifying the command message. The addressed slave device produces a reply message which includes a reply direction indicating parity bit for identifying the reply message.

Abstract: A traction control for a motor vehicle derives a target delta velocity as the sum of a longitudinal velocity of the vehicle and a target delta velocity derived from one or more of a longitudinal acceleration, a lateral acceleration and a turn curvature. The vehicle has a vehicle stability enhancement system of the type becoming active when a vehicle yaw rate error is sensed for providing braking control of individual wheels of the motor vehicle to reduce the vehicle yaw rate error below a predetermined value. In response to activity of the vehicle stability enhancement system in reducing a vehicle yaw rate error, the target delta velocity, and thus the target velocity, is bounding between a maximum target velocity value and a minimum target velocity value, at least one of which is derived from an estimated coefficient of friction between the vehicle drive wheels and the drive surface.

Abstract: A low porosity, strong, composite magnetostrictive coating is formed on a substrate by low temperature, high velocity spraying of a particulate mixture of a magnetostrictive REFe2 composition and a strong metallic matrix material. The practice is particularly useful for forming circumferential bands of composite magnetostrictive material on a round shaft such as an automobile steering column. An example of a composite material is the magnetostrictive SmFe2 compound and iron or copper as the strengthening matrix material.

Abstract: An actuator arrangement comprising a piezoelectric element formed from a piezoelectric material, a first end of the piezoelectric element cooperating with an input piston member slidable within a bore. A surface associated with the input piston member defines, in part, a control chamber for fluid, fluid pressure within the control chamber acting on a surface associated with an output piston member. The fluid within the control chamber is substantially incompressible such that, in use, movement of the input piston member is transmitted to the output piston member, the piezoelectric element being arranged within a second chamber for fluid such that fluid pressure within the second chamber exerts a force on at least a part of the surface of the piezoelectric element which serves to oppose the load exerted on the piezoelectric element due to fluid pressure within the control chamber, thereby suppressing distortions in the piezoelectric material.

Abstract: The reservoir cap for a hydraulic fluid reservoir includes a cap plate and an integral stick, a gasket, a cup and a spring. The gasket is telescopically received on the stick and contacts a cap gasket surface on the cap plate. The cup has two radially extending ears with ramp contact surfaces and a central bore. The central bore has two spaced apart flat cup bore surfaces and cup projections that extend radially into the central bore. A coiled compression spring has one end in contact with the cup and another end in a spring retainer groove on the stick. The cup is mounted in a preliminary position on shelves on the stick. Rotation of the stick relative to the cup moves the cup off the shelves and the spring moves the cup to a working position.

Abstract: A damper body for a magnetorheological (MR) damper and associated methods of forming the damper body. The damper body is formed of a base material, such as a steel, and is coated with an abrasion-resistant layer comprising chromium. The layer of chromium provides a sliding wear surface for sliding contact with a reciprocating piston. To avoid high-stress abrasive wear over the expected service life of the magnetorheological damper, the layer of chromium has a minimum thickness greater than or equal to a minimum thickness of about 8 &mgr;m. In other embodiments, before applying the abrasion-resistant layer of chromium, the damper body is coated with a layer of a hard coating material having a hardness greater than the hardness of the base material. The effective hardness of the damper body is a composite of the respective hardnesses of the base material comprising the damper body and the layer of hard coating material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fuel injector for an internal combustion engine wherein components external to the tubular body are positioned, joined, and retained on the body, and wherein the tubular body is structurally reinforced, by being encapsulated together in a molded shroud formed of a structural adhesive polymer.

Abstract: A novel method is proposed for controlling the torque of a PM brushless motor with sinusoidal back-emfs without current sensors by computing the required input phase voltages with measured rotor position and speed and known machine parameters. These voltages are fed to the machine at an angle computed in terms of input parameters and the phase voltage with respect to their back-emfs so that phase currents are aligned with their back-emfs to exactly mimic the performance of the current mode controller.

Abstract: A disc brake rotor is retained on a bearing hub assembly during handling, shipping and installation of the wheel by a retaining clip. The clip is snapped into a machined groove on the bearing pilot hub after the disc brake rotor is assembled to the bearing and gauged for optimal runout. The retaining clip acts as a physical block thereby keeping the rotor positioned on the bearing hub and eliminates the need for specific orientation of a retention device or removal of material from the disc rotor or wheel as in prior systems.

Abstract: A vibration damper assembly to dampen the vibration generated in a motor vehicle and transmitted through, for example, a steering assembly. The vibration damper assembly includes a rotor disposed within a housing. The rotor is operatively connected to a velocity generating member such as a pinion that is integrated with the steering assembly. A conductive sleeve is disposed between the housing and the rotor. A coil engages the sleeve and is capable of generating a magnetic field that is transmitted through the sleeve. A plate separates the rotor from the sleeve thereby defining a viscous fluid chamber and a Magneto-Rheological (MR) fluid chamber between the rotor and the sleeve. The viscous fluid chamber includes a Newtonian fluid and the MR fluid chamber includes a MR fluid having sheer properties reactive to the magnetic field.

Abstract: A mechanical assist actuation bracket for use with a roller finger follower. The roller finger follower includes a locking pin assembly having a trigger pin. The mechanical assist actuation bracket includes a face configured for being affixed to the roller finger follower. An arm extends from the face. The arm is configured for translating an actuating arm of an actuating device associated with the roller finger follower in a direction toward and away from the trigger pin during pivotal movement of the roller finger follower.

Abstract: An ignition coil assembly includes a cylindrical central core having a main axis, a primary winding outwardly of the central core, a secondary winding outwardly of the primary winding, and a case comprising polyimide material. In one embodiment, a secondary winding spool comprises polyimide material. The overall diameter of the ignition coil assembly is reduced relative to conventional designs.

Abstract: A passenger van is equipped with a drive mechanism for power operation of a slideable side door. The drive mechanism has an endless flexible drive member that travels in a closed loop which includes travel through a center track that supports and guides a hinge and roller assembly that is attached to the rear of the side door. A clutch is mounted on the hinge and roller assembly to clamp onto the flexible drive member for power operation. The clutch is operated by an actuator that includes a solenoid and a linkage between the solenoid and a moveable plate of the clutch. An electromagnetic clutch may be used as an alternative.

Abstract: A magneto-rheological damping device comprises a core element for carrying a magnetic flux and a magnetic flux generator positioned adjacent to a portion of the core element and operable to generate a magnetic flux in the core element. A sleeve is positioned over the core element and magnetic flux generator and includes a plurality of protrusions extending generally radially outwardly from a center of the core element. A flux ring surrounds the core element and sleeve and defining a passage between flux ring and core element for the flow of a magneto-rheological fluid. The sleeve protrusions are configured to engage the flux ring and secure the flux ring in a concentric position around the core element and sleeve.

Abstract: A damper assembly is provided including a telescopic damper having a piston rod extending from a first end. A mount assembly is mounted on the piston rod. A dust tube is provided the damper assembly including a substantially closed end, the closed end positioned between the telescopic damper and the mount assembly. The closed end of the dust tube includes an opening for receiving the piston rod and a rate surface for contacting a bumper portion of the mount assembly when the damper assembly contracts.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a microelectronic device package is provided. The method includes a continuous processing mode of microelectronic device packages wherein process steps for fabricating the microelectronic device package are performed resulting in savings from the removal of more expensive batch processing steps.

Abstract: A filter for a fuel injection device, comprising a plurality of filter elements arranged within a housing such that, in use, fluid is directed through clearances of predetermined size between respective mutually adjacent ones of the elements for preventing the passage of oversized contaminant particles carried in the fluid.